Automatic blocking mechanism for strip-mills.



A. SUNDH. AUTOMAf'IC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.6. 191s.

B SHEETS-SHEET I.

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INVENTOR WM Wf/QM ATTORN EY Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

A. SUNDH. I AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS.

. APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. I916. 1,259,164.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patented Mar. 12,1918.

A. SUNDH. AUTOMATIC BLOCK|NG M ECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. I916- Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

6 snsns-suzsr 3.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY A. SUNDH.

AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. 1916.

1,259, 164. Patented Mar. 12, 1918. f s'susns-snsu 4. I

i i f fa E Z? 1 f7 1 E F l d7 f; 4' 47 ATTORNEY A. SUNDH.

AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-6. I9I6- H Patented'Mar. 12

v 1918. 'sng'gvsnzn 5.

3 nve'wtoz A. sum)". AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. I9I6- Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

INVENTOR M I y mzm.

ATTCRNEY AES AUGUSTv SUNDH, 0F HASTINGS-UPON-HUDSON, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP-MILLS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented M231. 12, 1918.

Application filed April 6, 1916. Serial No. 89,268.

I '0 all whom it may concern 1 Be it known that I, AUGUSTSUNDH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hastings-upon-Hudson, in the county of Vest- .chester and State of Xew LYork, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Blocking Mechanism for Strip- Mills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement ation of the machine. but after the strip has once entered the rolling mill and the electrical apparatus. set into operation, the control of the electrical apparatus is automatically taken away from the strip; I have ar ranged this mechanism so that the strip at no time is in contact with the electrical device for controlling the operation of the machine, consequently all danger of buckling of the strips from this source is avoided; my device requires no grounded circuits, which are always more or less troublesome, and neither do I have any circuits passing through thestrip: I have also provided means for automatically slowing down the driving mechanism for the block,.to maintain the tension on the strip practically constant throughout the blocking operation, this feature being of great advantage over the devices now in use, where the regulating of the tension on the strip is attended to by the operator, generally by means of a belt the tension of which is varied by the operator; of course such an arrangenient' is not satisfactory as the operator has to judge when the tension of the strip is increasing to too high a degree, which is not easy and requires a very experienced man;'I have provided a block having a removable casing on which the strip is wound in the blocking operation; this casing together with the strip may be removed after the strip is blocked and another casing put on and be blocking the next strip while the operator is removing the blocked strip from the first casing; of course this effects a great saving in time, as otherwise the blocking machine would have to be stopped whilethe blocked strip is being removed therefrom; it is of great advantage to pull the strip and casing 011' the block and remove the strip, over. the old way of just simply pulling the strip off the block, which often causes buckling of the inside turns of strip; I provide guides from the mill to the block which will permit the escape of oil and water brought through the rolling mill by the strips, and also permit the operator to see the strip throughout the greater part of its travel so thatshould the strip buckle from any cause the operator will see it at once and cut off the strip back of the mill rolls before it has damaged the machine; the clamping of the strips to the block may be regulated to suit various conditions, that is to say means have been provided which are adjustable and which clamp the strips to the block at the desired instant; and means have been provided to enable one to adjust the machine to suit varying thicknesses of the strips.

All these and other advantageous features of my invention will be fully pointed out and described hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating my invention, wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine; Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the driving mechanism for the block. the block itself, the means for operating the same, and the governor for regulating the speed of-thc driving mechanism; Fig. 3 is an' enlarged view of the strip guiding mechanism shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is i an elevation of the block; Figs. 6 and 7 are. cross sections through the block, Fig. 6 showing the block as it appears when a strip has just entered it, and Fig. 7 showing the block with the strip clamped and partly blocked; Fig. 8 is an'elevation of the rolling mill viewed from the back and showing the contact mechanism mounted thereon, which forms part of the mechanism for controlling the operation of the electrical de- "ices embodied in my apparatus; Fig. 9 is, an end view of the mill rolls; Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the electrical" features of the apparatus; Fig. 11 is a modification of the governor of Fig. 2, alternating current being used instead of direct: Fig. 12 is another modification of Fig. '2, the means for controlling the speed of the block in this instance being av fluid means; and Fig. 13

shows diagramatically the fluid means shown in Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I will first of all describe the construction of the block. It comprises an outer cylindrical shell or casing, 1, and an inner core 2, this core forming a magnet having magnet windings 3. The movable-core of the magnet just mentioned, is designated 1, and is screwed through the outer end of the shell 1, and held in place in the shell by means of a lock nut 5. Mountedon this core and within the shell 1 is a coil spring 6, normally inert. A hinged section 7 is provided in the shell 1, for'the purpose of admitting the strip to the inside of the shell. This hinged section or door, is normally held open by a spring 8, to insure that the section will be open when the strip reaches the block, and

I after thestrip has entered the block and been clamped and the strip given a turn around the block the section 7 will be forced closed, so that the periphery of the shell will be truly rotmd and present an unbroken smooth surface to the strip being wound on it. Figs. and 7 show clearly the appearance of theshell 1 when the strip designated S has been wound thereon. The bore of the shell 1 is tapered. and the outside of the core 2 is correspondingly tapered, and the shell 1 is adapted to be slid 011 to the core 2,

and it will thus be seen that when the magnet windings 3 are energized and the core 1 drawn inwardly; the strip will be clamped between the outer shell 1 and the core 2. In order that the inside of the block may be rotated independently of the outside shell 1, I have provided a member 126 forming a support for the imier end of the shell 1 when the latter is in position on the core 2. This member 126 which is adapted for rotation at times, is mounted on the end of the bearing 12, the latter forming also a bearing for the core 2. A hand wheel l0'is carried by this member 126, this wheel carrying a spring actuated pin 12?. pressed into engagement with the face of an extension 128 formed on the bearing 12. The shell 1 and the memberv 126 are caused to rotate as a unit by means of a key 9. 'hen the shell 1 is first slid into place on the core 2. the hand wheel 10 is moved until the pin 127 enters an opening in the face of the extension 128, and as thls extension is stationary, the member 126 and the shell 1 are locked against further rotary movement. The parts are so constructed, that when the pin 127 enters the projection 128 the opening 7 in the block will be in place to receive the strip as it comes from the rolling .mill.

S0 soon as the magnet windings 3 are energized' and the shell '1 drawn inwardly or further on to the core 2 and the strip which is adapted to be clamped, the shell 1 will actuate an arm 129 carried on the pin 127 and move the same upwardly together with the pin 127. The withdrawal of the pin 127 from the extension 128 of the bearing 12 will permit the shell 1 and part 126 to rotate, and as the shell 1 and core are now fastened together .by reason of the shell 1 having been drawn on to the core 2 far enoughto clamp the strip between them the whole block will be free to rotate as a unit. The spring 6 is provided for the purpose of insuring that the shell 1 will be out of engagement with the core 2 at such times that the magnet windings are not energized. A stationary pole piece 11 forms one core of the magnet formed by'the core 2 and extends through the bearing 12 formed in a standard 13 which is a part ofthe bed of the machine, and a bearing 21, likewise formed in a standard 25 which is on the bed of the machine, and has keyed thereon a clutch member 11. which is adapted to be actuated into position to engage a corresponding clutch member 15 on the face of a large gear 16, which gear is also keyed on the shaft 11, this latter gear being in mesh with'and driven by a small gear 18 on the armature shaft of the electric motor 17. The clutch member 14 is adapted to be actuated into engagement with the clutch member 15 by means of a foot pedal 19 carried on a bracket 20 secured to the standard 13, and having a slot and pin connection with one arm 21 of a bell crank lever. this arm being directly connected to the clutch member 11. By depressing the foot pedal 19 the member 11 is forced to the left to engage the-clutch member 12. The other arm 22 of the bell crank forms a foot pedal, the depressing of which will cause the clutch members to be disengaged, and if the pedal be depressed sufliciently'it will bring one part 11- of a friction brake into engagement with the face of the bearing 12, to stop the block, the member 14' being keyed on the shaft 11. Mounted on the end of the shaft 11 opposite to the gear 16 is a beveled gear 26 meshing with another beveled gear 27, which lat- I carries the balls 28 and their connected parts,

etc. This collar 29 is connected to mechanism hereinafter to be described, which 1 mechanism controls the speed of the motor 17 so that the latter will maintain a practically constant tension on the strip while it is being blocked. Referring to Figs. 1. 3 and4, the guiding means for the strip will be described. These means comprise in part, two guiding members, an upper and a lower, designated 31 and 32,, respectively. The upper guide is mounted for partial rotation about a shaft each other.

33 secured in suitable supports 34 and 35 carried on the bed of the machine. guides, both upper and lower are-made in grill form,zfor part of their length, thisgrill-construction serving the dou 1e purpose of enabling theloperator to see the strip in its passage through the guides, and permitting the escape ofthe oil and water which may be carried'by the strip as'it comes from the, rolling: mill. The lower guide 32 is adapted to be swung into and out of operative position about the shaft 33; both guide members being moved to operative position, that is to say, into engagement with the face of the block, manually, and withdrawn from operati e position automatically. The mechanism foroperating the guide memberscomprises two pairs ofarms 36 formed, or which may be formed integral with the guiding members 31 and -32, these arms being connected by links 37 to a lever 38, offset from the guides and pivoted at its lower end to an extension 39 formed on thestandard 35. .By merely moving this lever to the left, as'viewed in Fig.

4, the guides are moved to operative position, with their ends adjacent the face of the block. To actuate the guides to inoperative position, I have provided a magnet 40 carried on the support 39, the core of this magnet being secured to a cross piece 41, this cross piece forming a connection of the lever 38 to both sets of links 37. It will be seen that movement of the core of the magnet 40 will cause the lever 38 to be moved to the right, and the guides will be withdrawn from operative position, the full line position of Fig. 4, to inoperative position as shown in dotted lines in the same re. xtending through the upper guide member are screws 51, 51 and 52, 52, these screws limiting the movement of the guides toward The lower guide member 32 is provided at its end adjacent the block, with ahinged section 53. This section is adapted to be. swung in upward position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 when the guide is withdrawn from the face of the block, being assisted in this movement by a spring 54. This section by thus swinging upwardly allows the lower guide member to be simply swung around its pivot, instead of having to be retracted also to clear the face of the block. When the guide members are being adjusted to operative position, the end of this-section 53 is engaged by the upper for the strips, adjacent the rolling mill, and

The

between it and the end of. the guides just described, the two sets of iding' members formin a continuous path for the travel and guidance of the 'strip'from the rolling mill to the face of the block. Secured to the end of these guides and in engagement with the mill rolls are two steel strips, 44

and 45', thesestrips being 'chamfered -to a knife edge, and held in firm engagement with the face of the mill rolls by means of springs 46 and 47'. Thesegnembers 44 and 45 are provided for the purpose'of'scraping the strips froin the mill rolls as they come through the mill. The ides 42 and 43, together with the strips 44 and 45 and strips 46 and 47' are. movable across the threaded shafts 48 passing through the ends of the guides. These'shafts of which there are two, one fbr the member 42 and one for '85 Q the member 43, are carried in the standard 35 .and are adapted to be. rotated therein. but to have no longitudinal movement, by

.means of members 49 to cause the guide members 42 and43 to be moved into any desired'oosition acrossthe face of the mill rolls'. The guides 42 and 43 and knife strips 44 and 45 are of a less width than the guide face of the rolling mill, by means of screw members 31 and "32, and are constructed to whereby I automatically cause my guiding mechanism to be withdrawn from the face of the block. after the strip has been so gripped. Referring first of all to Figs. 8 and 9, contact mechanism is shown secured to the upper part of the rolling mill. This mechanism comprises a rod 57 extending across the mill and a short distance above the upper roll, and secured to the endsof the mill. Mounted on this rod is a member 58 adapted to be moved along the rod 57 and held in any desired position onthe said rod by means of screws 59, 59. Afiixed to this -member. but insulated therefrom is a contact 60. Pivotally connected to the lower partof the'member 58 is a switch arm 61.

. this switch arm carrying a tit 62 constantly engaging the upper surface of the mill roll 56, this engagement being insured by a spring 64, mounted'on the switch arm-and between it and the member 58. The closing of contacts 60 and 63 by reason of thevmill roll 56 being raised, due to the entry of'the strip into the rolling mill, closes a circuit for one of the windings 76-of a doubly 13o wound magnet, to set into operation certain mechanism now to be'described. Carried on the end of the mill roll 56 and keyed thereto is a gear 72. Secured to the lower end of the movable core 68 of the magnet 69 is a lever 66, this lever being pivoted at its other end at a point at any convenient place at the end of the rolling mill. This lever carries a. gear 67 adapted to rotate thereon and being at all times in mesh with a rack 70. This rack is mounted on the end of the mill and adapted to move longitudinally in guides 71; the extreme outward movement of the core 68 of the magnet 69 is limited by a screw 7 5'. Xow when the winding of 'the magnet 69 is energized by closing of the contacts 60 and 63, the core 68 will be pulled inwardly carrying with it the lower end of the lever 66, and the gear 67, until the latter meshes with the gear 72 carried on the end of the mill roll 56. As the mill roll at this time will be rotating. the gear also will be set into motion, and as it is in mesh with the rack 70. the latter will be moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 9.

Referring now to Fig. 10, I will trace the various circuits therein shown, and describe the function of these circuits and their effect on the operation of the machine. The

source of power for all of the circuits shown is designated S, and is controlled by a main line switch? 5. In the following description the main line switch 75 is in closed position. The motor circuits are controlled by a manually operated switch M. which is mounted in any convenient position on the machine, so as to be within easy reach of the operator. Assuming the lever M moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 10, with an arm 107 carried by said lever engaging a contact 108 and an arm 104: also carried by said lever engaging contact 102. The armature circuit for the motor may now be tracedas follows: From the plus side of the line, through conductors 86, 100, 101, contact 102, arm 104, conductor 105, through the motor 17, conductor 106, arm 107, contact 108, conductor 109, and out the minus side of the line, The field circuit of the motor may be traced as follows: from the plus side of the tine, through conductors 86, 92, field 93, conductor 91, contact 97 carried on an arm A controlled by the governor G, contact segment 98, conductor 99, and out the minus side.

of the line. The motor now starts to rotate and isbrought up to desired speed. Rotation of the motor, however. at this time merely rotates the core 2 of the block, as by reason of the structure already described herein, the core 2 is not at this time engaged by the shell 1, and the latter is prevented from h'avin any movement anyway by reason of the pm 127 A strip may now be fedto the rolling mill, and at once the roll 56 will be raised suificiently to cause the contacts 60 and 63 to close. Closure ofthese contacts first of all closes the circuit'to the winding 76 of the magnet 69, this circuit .Will thereby be rotated, and the rack '70 be moved upwardly to bridge contacts 73 by a bridge piece 74 carried on the upper end of the rack 70. Bridging of these contacts 73. closes a circuit to a winding 77 of a magnet 78, this circuit being traced as follows: From the plus side of the line, conductor 86. wind ing 7 7 conductor 87, lower contact 73, bridgepiece 74, upper contact 7 3, conductors 85 and 99 and out the minus side of the line. As

the winding 77 of the magnet 78 is energized it pulls up its core, carrying with it the arm 79 which arm carries a pair of contacts 80 and 81, these contacts being now in engagement with fixed contacts 82 and 83. With these contacts in engagement we find a circuit closed for another winding 114 of the magnet 78, this winding being wound in the same direction as the winding 77. This circuit may be traced as follows: From the plus side of the line, through conductors 86, 100, through contacts 80, 81, 83, field 114, conductor 115, a contact 112 carried by the lever M, through contact 111, which the contact 112 engages by reason of the .lever M being in operative position, conductor 116, winding 113 of the magnet 69, this winding being wound oppositely to the winding 76 of this magnet, and by conductors 85 and 99 to the minus side of the line. We find another circuit closed also by reason of the arm 79 having been moved to operative position. this is the circuit for the winding of the block. Up to this time it is to be remembered the inside of the block has been merely rotating idly. The various electrical de vices are so timed that at the instant the winding for the block, the circuit for which is now to be traced, is energized, the strip will have reached the block and entered therein the required distance. The circuit for the block is as follows: From the plus side of the line, through conductor 86, contacts 80 and 82, conductor 88. collector ring 89 carried on the end of the shaft 11, winding 3 of the block. collector ring 90, conducthrough conductor 86, contacts 80 and82,

' conductors 88, 110, winding NV of the magnet 40, conductors 91, 85, 99, to the minus side of the line. We now have the strip clamped to the block by reason of the winding 3 being energized and the shell 1 drawn inwardly on to the block, the guides with drawn and the strip being blocked. In order that I may keep the winding of the magnet 78 alive'so that the arm 79 will be in operated position to close the circuit'to the winding of the block, I provide the two windings 77 and'114, the latterbeing held closed, or rather the circuit for the latter being held closed, so long: as the lever M is in operated position. The other winding 77 of this magnet is dead, as. so soon as the winding113 of the doubly wound magnet 69 received current by reason of the arm 79 of the magnet 78 being moved to operated position, the magnet 69 was deenergized and dropped its core, thus breakingthe circuit of the winding 77 at the contacts 73. Thus it will be seen that although the contacts 60 and 63 will remain closed so long as the strip is between the mill rolls, their function is destroyed, or neutralized by the energization of the winding 113. In order to be able to adjust the parts just described, that is in order to time them properly so that the block will be energized at the right instant when the strip enters it, I have provided the 'screw 75' at the bottom of the 3 core 68 and the screw 136 at the bottom of the core ofthe magnet 78. vThe movement of these cores may therefore be regulated so that they will perform their respective functions in the proper time to clamp the strip'as it enters the block. a

Theinitial rotation of the motor causes the governor balls 28 to fly out, and by rca-. son of their connection to the arm A the arm A will be forced down to insert some of the resistance 95 in the field circuit of the motor to weaken the same, but as the roll of strip on the block increases in diameter, the strip will tend to hold back'the motor, and

the governor balls 28 will drop, the arm will be raised and some of the resistance 95 cut out of the field circuit of the motor, and

the latter will slow down accordingly. It

will thus be seen that automatically I slow downthe motor as the diameter of the roll of strip'being blocked increases, and consequently the tension on the'strip will automatically be maintained practically constant.

When the strip has been completely blocked. the: lever M'is moved again to center position; and the circuit for the motor as well as thecircuit to the winding of the block will be broken and the motor and block will come to If desired the foot pedal 22 may be depressed sufliciently in disconnecting the clutchl from the clutch member 15 to bring the brake member 14' into action to stop the apparatusmore quickly,

The modification of the governor arrangement. as shown in Fig. 11 is the same in op eration as that already described, alternating current being used instead of direct, the arm A in this instance controlling resistance R in the circuit of the motor 17.

The effect on the motor and strip is the same as-with the other governor.

In Figs. 12 and 13, I show a. still further modification of the speed controlling mechanism for the block, in thisinstance the speed of the block being regulated, instead of the speed of the motor. In these figures the gear 18 on the motor shaft meshes with a large hollow gear 120, this gear being carried on the shaft 11. Carried within this large gear are gears 121 and 122, meshing with each other, the gear 122 being keyed -to the shaft 11. The gear 120 is filled with a fluid, oil for instance, and the whole forms a fluid means for transmitting the power .from the motor shaft to the shaft 11 to rotate the block. ,The action of this mechanism is controlled by valve mechanism 123,

and when it is desired that the shaft 11 be lever being connected to the collar 124, and

the other end to the collar 29 on the spindle of the overnor G. Now it will be seen that ciently great to slow up the motor and the governor'ballsdrop, the lever 125 will be actuated to move the valve 123 into position to allow the fluid within the hollow gear 120 to bypass, in other words there will be a slippage between the shaft 11 of the block and the motor shaft. The tension on the strip-"will therefore be maintained pracv tically constant during the entire blocking of the stri.,

It will 1 seen from the aforegoing de- 9 scription that I have provided a blocking mechanism which is practically automatic throu hout its entire operation, and which is capab e of. being adjusted to handle strips of varying thicknesses, and one inwhich I may vary the instant at which the strip will be attached to the block. Also that I have pro vided means whereby the strip automatically sets into operation the mechanism for blockinggthe strip, but which mechanism after being once set into operation is automatically taken away from the control of the strip; also it will be seen thatI have 105 when t e tension on'the strip becomes sufli.

provided means automatically to take care of the tendency of the tension on the strip to be increased as the diameter of the roll of strip on the block increases.

I appreciate that others skilled in the art of strip blocking, might make various changes in my apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I desire therefore not to be limited to the precise details and arrangement of parts herein shown.

'hat I claim and desire to have protected by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a. blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of means for driving the block, anda governor driven by said block driving means adapted to regulate the speed of the block to maintain a practically constant tension on the strip as it is being wound on the block.

2. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of means for driving the block, and a centrifugal governor adapted to control said driving means to drive the block at. a speed to maintain a practically constanttension on the strip as the virtual diameter of the block increases.

3. In a blocking device adapted to wind a Strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of means for driving the block at' a predetermined speed as the'strip enters the block, and a governor controlled by the speed of the block driving means adapted to slow down the driving means as the virtual diameter of the block increases, thereby main taining a practically constant tension on the strip throughout the blocking operation.-

I. In .a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combina- 'tion of an electric motor for driving the block at a predetermined speed as the strip enters the block, a speed controller for said motor, and a. speed governor driven by said motor and adapted to control said speed controller to thereby maitnain a practically constant tension on the strip throughout the blocking operation.

5. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of an electric, motor for driving the block at a predetermined speed as the strip enters the block. a speed controller for sai motor, a centrifugal governor regulating said speed controller and controlling the same to maintain a practically constant tension on the strip throughout the blocking operation. I

6. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming'from'the strip mill, the combination of an electric motor for driving the block, a regulating device in the circuit of the motor, a speed governor driven by the motor and controlling said regulatingdevice to vary the speed of the motor driving the block thereby to maintain a practically contant tension on the strip throughout the blocking operation.

7. a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from'the strip mill, the combination of an electric motor for driving controlling said rheostatto decrease thev speed of the motor as the virtual diameter of the block increases during the blocking op eration.

9. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of an electric motor for driving the block, a rheostat in the field circuit of said motor, a speed governor controlling said rheostat to decrease the speed of the motor as the virtual diameter ofthe block increases during the blocking operation.

10. In a blocking device adapted to wind.

a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of an electric motor for driving the block, a rheostat in the field circuit of said motor, a eed governor driven by the motor for contrifiling said rheostat tovary the resistance of the field circuitof the motor to vary the-speedof the motor in accordance with the tension on the strip to maintain a practically constant tension on the motor throughout the blocking operation.

11. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of means for drivlng the block to wini the strip under tension, a speed governor driven by the driving means in constant ratio to the speed of the block, and

adapted to regulate the speed of the driving means to-mamtain a practically constant tension on the strip throughout the blocking operation.

12. In a strip the combination of rolls for rolling the strip, blocking mechanism embodying a rotatable block on which the strip is adapted to be wotmd, a contact de vice operated by the mill rolls, a circuit for the block controlled by said contactdevice. to cause the strip to be attached to the block as it reaches the block.

13. In a strip mill, the combination of rolls for rolling a strip. blocking mechanism embodying a rotatable block on which the strip is adapted to be wound, a device operated by the mill rolls as the strip enter; between the mill rolls and timed with 'mill-roll-operated device inoperative after the strip has been attached to the block.v

14. In a strip mill, the combination of rolls for rolling a strip, blocking mechanism embodying a rotatable block on which the strip is adapted to be wound, and means to cause the strip to become attached to the block, saidmeans being operative only until the strip has become attached to the block.

15. In a strip mill, the combination of rolls for rolling a strip,blocking mechanism embodying a rotatable block, adapted to wind a strip coming from the strip mill rolls, a device operated by the mill rolls to cause the strip to be attached to the block when the strip reaches the block, said device being operative from the'time the strip enters the mill rolls, and means to render said device inoperative after the strip has been attached to the block.

.16. In a strip mill, the combination of rolls for rolling a strip, a blocking mechanism embodying a rotatable block, adapted to wind the strip coming from the strip mill rolls, a device operated by the mill rolls immediately when the strip is sent through the rolls and continues the operation and causes the strip to be attached to the block when the strip reaches the block, and constructed to discontinue its operation after the strip becomes attached to the block, and means acting independently thereof to hold the strip attached to the block during the winding of the strip.

17. In a strip mill, the combination of rolls for rolling a strip, a blocking mechanism embodying'a rotatable block adapted to wind the strip coming from the strip mill rolls, a device operated by the mill rolls to cause the strip to be attached to the block when the strip reaches the block, means for rendering said device inoperative thereof, and independent means to hold the strip attached to the block after the first means has been renderedinoperative. 1

18..In a strip mill, the combination of rolls for rolling a strip, a blocking mechanism embodying a rotatable block adapted to wind a strip coming'from the strip mill, a device operated by the strip mill rolls, means to hold said device in position to be so operated at the instant the strip enters the mill rolls, means operated thereby to clamp the strip to the block, and adjustable means operable to time the operation of the strip clamping means by the device operated by the strip inill rolls so that the strip clamping means will be actuated at the instant the strip reaches the block.

a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a device operated by the strip mill, comprising a switch operated by the mill rolls, an electro-magnet operated by said switch, mechanism controlled by saidmagnet, and means controlled by said mechanism for causing the strip to be attached tothe block when the strip reachesthe block. 20. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a device operated by the strip I mill, comprising a switch operated. by the mill rolls at the instant the strip enters therein, an electromagnet operated by said switch, mechanism controlled by'said magnet, and means controlled by said mechanism for causing the strip tobeattached to the block when the strip reachestheblock. 21. In a blocking device adaptedto wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a device operated'by .the'strip mill, comprising an electric switch operated by the mill rolls, an electromagnet operated by said switch, mechanism controlled by said electromagnet and operated by the mill, and means controlled by said mechanism for causing the strip to be attached to the block when the strip reaches the block.

' 22. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a block, a switch operated by the strip mill, an oppositely wound double wound magnet, said switch controlling one winding of said electromagnet, means for: rotating the block, manual means for con trolling said driving means and the other winding "of "said electromagnet, a block 100 ,winding to cause the strip to be attached 7 to the block, means controlled initially by the energization ofthe first named ma et winding to close a circuit to said block wmding, the energization of the secondwinding of the double wound electromagnet to ren-' der saidmeans inoperative, and -means to maintain the circuit closed' to the block winding after the first named magnet wind ing controlled means has been rendered inoperative. p 23. In a blockingdevice adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of arotatable block, electro-magnetic means for operating said block to cause" 1 15 tromagnet and operated by the mill, and a Switch controlled by said mechanism to close a circuit for the electro-magnetic block operatin means.

24:. p a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, thecom bination of a rotatable block, electro-magnetic means for operating said block to cause 19. In'ablocking device adapted to wind f the strip to be attached to the block, a device embody ng an electric switch, operated by switch. mechanism controlled by said electromagnet and operated by the mill, a switch controlled by said mechanism to close a circuit for said electromagnetic block operating means, and means to cause the mechanism operated by the mill to be rendered inoperative at the instant the strip is attached to the block.

25. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block a ,cylinder adapted to slide over said block, means to attach the strip to the block, means to hold said cylindrical cylinder from rotatinginitiall v and means to cause said cylinder to. rotate with the block after the strip has been attached to the block.

:26. In a blocking device adapted to wind at strip coming from astrip mill, the combination of a rotatable block comprising a cylinder with a longitudinal slot to permit the strip to enter said cylinder, said cylinder being adapted to slide on the block,'a hearing for said cylinder, and means to cause said cylinder and bearing to rotate as a unit after the strip has entered the cylinder.

27. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder adapted to slide over said block, means to hold said cylinder stationary while the block is rotating and means to cause said cylinder to rotate with the block.

' :28. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder adapted to slide over said block means to hold said cylinder stationary while the block is rotating, and means automatically oper able to cause said cylinder to rotate with v the block.

29. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, means to drive the block, bearing for said block, a support for said bearing, a cylinder adapted to slide over said block, means to hold said cylinder stationary while the block is roing. a bearing for said cylinder, su

port for said bearing, and means to engage the cylinder and the rotatable block to cause the two to rotate as a unit;

30. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from astrip mill, the com bination of a rotatable conical block, means to drive the block, a cylinder having a conical bore corresponding with the conical rotatable block, Said cylinder; being adapted to slide over said block, means to prevent rotation of said cylinder, and means engaging the conical rotatable block and the conical cylinder and cause the two to rotate as a unit 31. In a blocking device adapted to wind 3 Strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a conical rotatable block, means to drive the block, a winding in said block, a cylinder having a conical bore to fit the conical block, an armature in the block connected with said cylinder, and means to energize the winding of the block to cause the cylinder and block to rotate as a tmit.

32. In a blocking device adapted to wind cal bore, and means to actuate the cylinder to clamp the strip coming from the strip mill between the conical bore of the cylinder and the conical part of the block.

33. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the com bination of a.conical rotatable block, means to drive the block, a winding for said block, a cylinder having a conical bore, and means to energize the winding in the block to attractthe cylinder and clamp the strip coming from the strip mill, between the conical part of the cylinder and the conical part of the blocks 1 34; In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a conical rotatable block made of magnetic material, a winding for said block, a cylinder having a conical bore and made of magnetic material, an armature connected with said cylinder, and means to energize the winding of the block to attract the,

armature and the cylinder to clamp the strip coming from the strip mill, between the conical part of the cylinder and the conical. part of the block.

35. In a blccking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a winding for said block, means to energize said winding asthe block is rotating, said block being conical, a cylinder having a "conical bore and adapted to slide on said block, a strip mill controlled device, said device being adjustable and adapted to close a circuit for the winding in the block, to cause the conical cylinder to clamp the strip between the conical surface of the block and the conical surface of the cylinder when the strip reaches the block.

36. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip comingfi'om a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder for the strip to be wound on and adapted to slide over the block, means to prevent said cylinder from rotating until the strip has entered the block, and means to cause said cylinder to rotate with the block after the strip has entered the block, and means to free said cylinder from the block after the strip is woimd 0n the cylinder to allow the cylinder and the strip to be withdrawn from the block.

37. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder adapted to slide over the block, a longitudinal opening in said cylinder for the strip to enter, means to prevent said cylinder from rotating until the strip has entered through the said opening, means to cause said cylinder to rotate with the block thereafter, and means to free the cylinder from the block to allow the cylinder and strip to be withdrawn from the block after the strip has been blocked.

38. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder adapted to slide over the block, a longitudinal opening in said cylinder for the strip to en-' ter, means to prevent said cylinder from rotating until the strip has entered through the said opening, means to automatically cause said cylinder to rotate with the block thereafter, and means to free the cylinder from the block to allow the cylinder and strip to be withdrawn from the block after the strip has been blocked.

39. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, and a cylinder for the strip to be wound on, means to permit the end of the strip to enter between the rotatable block and said cylinder, said cylinder being adapted to be slid over'the block, and adapted to be manually withdrawn from the block after the strip has been wound thereon.

40. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder for the strip to be wound on and adapted to slide over the block, and also adapted to be withdrawn from the block with the wound strip thereon, a longitudinal slot in said cylinder adapted to be closed up by the pressure of the strip in the blocking operation.

41. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a cylinder open at one end, and with v slot for the strip to enter into the block, said cylinder adapted to be manually slid over the block, means to hold the cylinder with the block during the blocking operation, and means to relieve said holding means for removal of the cylinder and the strip after the latter has been blocked.

42. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, thecombination of a rotatable block, guiding means between the milland the block, and longitudinal openings in said guiding means or the purpose set forth. v

43. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding a longitudinal means, comprising an upper and a lower guide for uiding the strip, and openings in said guiding means for the purpose set forth.

44:. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, thelcombination of an upper and a lower guide member constructed to permit the escape of oil and water from the strip and to keep the strip in sight in its travel from the mill to the block through the guides.

45. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill,.the combination of a rotatable block and guiding means for the strip between the mill and the block consisting of a plurality of bars fastened together to form a grill structure for the purpose set forth.

4.6. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means for the strip between the mill and the block,

knife blades supported on said guiding means, means for forcing these blades in contact with the mill rolls, and means to shift saidknife blades longitudinally of the mill rolls independently of the guiding.

M. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means for the strip between the mill andithe block, knife blades in forced contact with the mill rolls, said knife blades being lessjn width than the guiding means, and means to adjust these blades longitudinally of the end of the guiding means and the mill rolls.

7 48. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means between the mill rolls and the block, knife blades for scraping the sheet loose from the mill rolls and conveying the same to the guiding means, means to shift the knife blades parallel with the mill rolls and the end of the guiding means, said knife blades being yieldingly connected with the guiding means.

as. In a blocking device adapted to wind a. strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means between the mill rolls and the block, knife blades under pressure against the mill rolls for scraping the sheet loose from the mill rolls and conveying the same to the guiding means, means to shift the knife blades parallel with the mill rolls and the end .of the guiding means, said knife blades having a yielding connection with the guiding means.

50. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means between the mill rolls and the block, knife blades in forced contact with the mill rolls, said knife blades being less in width than means for rotating the block, guiding means for the strip, means operable by the rolls of the mill for attaching the strip to the block,

. and a separate means for maintaining the strip attached to the block and operable at the instant the strip is so attached to simultaneously neutralize the action of the first named means and withdraw the guides from operative position.

52. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming'from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means for the strip between the mill and the block, knife blades coacting with said guiding means and in contact with the mill rolls, and means to shift said knife blades independently of the guiding means longitudinally of the mill rolls.

53. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means for the strip between the mill and the block, and additional guiding means adjustable independently of the first-named guiding means and longitudinally of the mill rolls.

5%. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, guiding means for the strip between the mill and the block, 1 comprising an upper and a lower guiding member, a' yieldable extension on the lower guiding member controlled by the upper guide member.

55. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a member carrying the same, a strip receiving space being left between said supporting member and the block, guiding means for the strip between the mill and the block, and means to vary the size of the space between said 1 supporting member and the block to accommodate the latter to strips of varying thick ness.

a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block comprising 56. In a blocking device adapted to wind two members, one of which is entirely removable from the other, means for holding one member stationary while the other is rotating, and means automatically to relieve said holding means to cause both members to rotate as a unit.

57. In a blocking device adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block comprising two members movable independently of each other, means for holding one member stationary while the other is rotating, and means operable by said stationary member to relieve said holding means to permit both members, to rotate as a unit.

58. In a strip mill, the combination of blocking mechanism, guiding means between Y means may be actuated to remove them from between the strip mill and said blocking mechanism.

59. In a strip mill, the combination of blocking mechanism, guiding means between the strip mill and said blocking mechanism, additional guiding means adjacent the rolls of the strip mill and movable relative to said first named guiding means, and supporting means for all of the said guiding means independent of the blocking mechanism, whereby the guiding means may be swlllmg to a position not adjacent the mill re s.

60. In a strip mill, the combination of blockingmechanism, guiding means between the strip mill and said blocking mechanism, additional flexible guiding means adjacent the rolls of the strip mill and adjustable ioo 

